League Preview: Finn Harps -v- Wexford

Mikey Place scored his fifth goal of the season to see Harps past Cobh Ramblers last week.
Credit: Steve Alfred

FINN HARPS

Looking to benefit from any potential slip up from UCD, Finn Harps host second from bottom Wexford at Finn Park on Friday evening (kick-off 8pm).

Despite their season looking all but over in terms of the title race, a remarkable five game unbeaten run has seen the Harps climb all the way up to third place in the league table after some fine wins against Drogheda United, Longford Town and Cobh Ramblers in recent weeks.

Now seven points behind the leaders UCD, the title is most certainly on for a Harps side who have found momentum when it mattered most at this crucial turning point of the season.

The Donegal outfit know Wexford will provide plenty of new and challenging obstacles to overcome after Wexford’s gutsy display against Drogheda last time out at Ferrycarrig Park.

This sentiment was echoed by Harps boss Ollie Horgan when he spoke to the club’s official media team on Thursday.

“Wexford got a draw against a top team like Drogheda even though they played most of the second half with just ten men.” Horgan told the club's media team.

“We struggled to beat them up here earlier in the season 1-0 and it was a draw when we played them at Ferrycarrig Park.

“They have signed Dean Walsh on loan from Waterford and he will be a good addition to their squad.

“Over the years we don’t have a great record against Wexford but hopefully that is changing so we can get a result against them on Friday night.”

Horgan’s charges currently sit third, just behind Drogheda on goal difference, while fellow promotion hopefuls Shels are in fourth.

UCD remain the runaway league leaders as they lie seven points ahead of both Drogheda and Harps.

Paddy McCourt, John O’Flynn and Adam Duffy all remain out while Nathan Boyle is a doubt having missed last week’s game at St Colman’s Park.

However, in a welcome boost for Harps, Mark Coyle returns to the squad following suspension despite being troubled by a knee injury upon his return.

Keith Cowan is ruled via suspension as new signings Niall Logue from Derry City and Fintan Borotto from Sligo Rovers could be in line to make their Harps debuts.

WEXFORD

Wexford's penultimate away game of the season sees them make the long and arduous trip all the way up to county Donegal to face an in-form Finn Harps side at Finn Park.

Despite signs of improvement during the off-season with some notable pre-season wins, Wexford have failed to build on a promising start to the season as they currently lie ninth, just eight points clear of basement strugglers Athlone Town.

Despite this, spirits will have been lifted somewhat this week at Ferrycarrig Park given their gutsy showing against Drogheda United last time out when the ten men of Wexford held firm against a promotion chasing Drogs.

Last time these sides met, it was Wexford held their upcoming hosts Finn Harps in a tense one-one draw in the Sunny South-East as Dean Kelly equalised late on for the then Damian Locke managed side after Paddy McCourt put Harps into the lead via a penalty kick.

Despite their encouraging result against Ollie Horgan’s side last time out, Wexford have only won three times this year in the league, with their fourth being chalked off after fielding an ineligible player against Athlone Town in June.

Aaron Dobbs misses out once again while John Morgan is also a doubt with a groin strain.

Sean Kelly also misses out through suspension while the returning trio of Ross Kenny, AJ Lehane and Ryan Nolan could all play some role after returning from injury.

Referee: Alan Patchell.

MATCH STATS

Wexford are yet to beat Finn Harps in their two encounters thus far. The Ferrycarrig Park outfit have fallen to one defeat and secured one draw.

This will be a clash between the teams with the worst disciplinary records in the league as Harps and Wexford lie top of the cards table.

Finn Harps have received 56 yellow and four red cards, while Wexford have 41 yellows and four dismissals to their name.

Photo Gallery for Finn Harps -v- Wexford

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